Colombia outraged at death threat to 11-year-old environmental activist

Francisco Vera, well-known in Colombia for his environmental campaigns and defence of children’s rights, plays with his toys at home in Villeta, Colombia (Fernando Vergara/AP)

A social media death threat aimed at an 11-year-old environmental activist has roused outrage in Colombia, a nation where attacks on social leaders are common and threats are taken seriously.

Colombian officials said they are investigating the death threat against Francisco Vera and President Ivan Duque recently promised in a television appearance that his government would find “the bandits” behind the Twitter message.